Australian Football

Match Report

Sydney has overcome a much improved Western Bulldogs outfit to move into the top two on the ladder. The Swans were pushed to the limit for most of their match against the Dogs at Docklands on Sunday afternoon, it was a only a burst of six goals in 10 minutes either side of the three-quarter-time siren that enabled the win to be one of relatively comfortable proportions.

The Bulldogs matched the Swans intensity for the entire match, but Sydney's poise and polish at vital moments was enough to get them across the line. The presence of a big, goal-kicking forward - Kurt Tippett finished with six majors - was also an important factor. Tippett was amongst the Swans best, along with Kieran Jack (30 disposals and two goals) and Ryan O'Keefe (21 touches and a goal).

For the Dogs, Ryan Griffen continued his outstanding season with another 40-plus possession game. He received great support from Tom Liberatore (33 disposals) and Mitch Wallis (29 possessions). While the Bulldogs remain in 15th position on the ladder with just five wins, there is a general consensus that they are a far-improved outfit and will push their remaining 2013 opponents to the limit. Those opponents are Carlton, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne and Dogs' coach Brendon McCartney would see victory as a distinct possibility in all of those matches.

Sydney, now in second place on the ladder, will have a chance to consolidate that place and even push for top spot over the coming weeks. The Swans take on Collingwood at Stadium Australia next Saturday night, and will round out their season with matches against St Kilda at the SCG, Geelong at Kardinia Park and a blockbuster against Hawthorn at Stadium Australia in round 23, a match that could ultimately determine the minor premier.

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Grant 3; Campbell, Giansiracusa, Dickson, Stevens 2; Young, Addison, Dahlhaus, Hunter
Sydney: Tippett 6, Lamb 2, Bird 2, Bolton 2, K. Jack 2, Parker, Mumford, O'Keefe, White, Grundy, Mumford, B. Jack

BEST - THE AGE
Western Bulldogs: Wallis, Griffen, Cooney, Liberatore, Grant, Murphy
Sydney: K Jack, Tippett, O'Keefe, Mumford, McVeigh, Hannebery

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Western Bulldogs: Griffen, Wallis, Liberatore, Minson, Grant, Cooney
Sydney: K. Jack, Tippett, McVeigh, O'Keefe, Mumford, Rampe, Hannebery

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Dahlhaus (nose)
Sydney: Nil

SUBSTITUTES Western Bulldogs: Daniel Giansiracusa replaced Jack Macrae in the third quarter.
Sydney: Brandon Jack replaced Rhyce Shaw in the third quarter.

UMPIRES: Schmitt, Hay, Mitchell

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox Footy

COMMENTATORS: Dwayne Russell, Gerard Healy, Danny Frawley, Barry Hall